Shares of IndiGo operator InterGlobe Aviation Ltd hit their highest level in at least a week following the sudden resignation of CEO Peter Albers. Co-founder and managing director Rahul Bhatia has taken charge of the airline on an interim basis.
IndiGo share price rises 3.02% to intraday high ₹The benchmark Nifty 50 fell 0.50% to 4,512.90 on the National Stock Exchange.
The stock is reacting to Elber’s exit and Bhatia’s return to the helm of affairs at India’s largest airline amid twin pressures – the escalating Iran war has decimated IndiGo’s international operations even before it had fully recovered from an operational slowdown three months ago.
“What happened last December should never have happened… Our customers didn’t deserve this and neither did all of you, especially the frontline workers who bore the brunt for most of the time through no fault of their own,” Bhatia wrote in an internal note.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all my colleagues who carried the company forward with decency and dignity and spent sleepless nights to restore the operational integrity of IndiGo. You are truly the living soul of IndiGo!”
Albers, who took charge of IndiGo in September 2022, built the airline into a $10 billion revenue enterprise, expanded its fleet to more than 440 aircraft, and placed a historic order for 500 Airbus A320-family aircraft. However, his tenure will be remembered for operational meltdowns. Between 3 and 5 December 2025, IndiGo canceled over 2,500 flights and delayed around 1,900 flights – affecting over 300,000 passengers.
India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation or DGCA, imposed a record fine ₹22.20 crore and issued a show cause notice directly to Albers. Although he initially avoided calls for his resignation, the crisis significantly damaged the airline’s reputation for punctuality.
Bhatia promised to fix the glitch.
In the internal letter, Bhatia sought support from IndiGo employees to “ensure that we regain the right of choice with our customers and earn the distinction of being the pride of India”.
“Let us remain focused and accountable, fully united and committed to this cause, and keep doing what we do best – offering affordable fares and a courteous and hassle-free travel experience to our customers.
“I look forward to working with all of you, and take this opportunity to wish you and your respective families all the best.”